Cobb County Officer Arrested in Child Sex Abuse Investigation; Separate Case Involves Second Officer

Atlanta, GA (BuzzReport) — A Cobb County Police Department officer has been arrested amid a child sex abuse investigation, authorities confirmed, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting renewed scrutiny of accountability within local law enforcement.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 47-year-old Withman Benjamin of Canton faces one count of sexual battery involving a child under the age of 16. Benjamin was arrested on Jan. 9 and booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Jail records show he was released the following day after posting a $3,500 bond.

The GBI said the investigation began after the Canton Police Department requested its assistance in September 2025. Details surrounding the alleged incident remain limited, and investigators have not released information about the victim or the circumstances of the case.

Benjamin has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Cobb County police officials said.

In a statement, Cobb County Police Chief Dan Ferrell emphasized the department’s stance on integrity and public trust.

“The residents of Cobb County expect and deserve law enforcement officers who uphold the law and demonstrate integrity at all times, both on and off duty,” Ferrell said. “We are committed to following the facts, respecting due process, and taking all appropriate action to maintain the trust and confidence of our community.”

No additional details have been made public. Atlanta News First reported that it contacted Benjamin for comment, but he declined.

In a separate and unrelated case, Cobb County police confirmed Wednesday that another officer, Tyler Bertolini, has also been arrested. Bertolini faces charges of first-degree and third-degree cruelty to children after turning himself in at the Cherokee County Jail on Tuesday.

Authorities stressed that the two cases are not connected.

Both investigations remain ongoing.